Apparently the the integrity of Major League Baseball’s Illegal Substance policy has been put into question because of an FedEX drivers decision to take home Braun’s drug sample and put it in his own freezer before delivering it the next day. Congratulation Ryan Braun for getting off on the ultimate technicality. You need to find that lazy most likely independently contracted driver and and kiss the feet he walks on. What kind of message does this send to our youth? Just pay off the delivery driver and you can cheat all day long! Way to go Fred Smith (FedEX CEO) I wonder if we should look into the Redskins now since Fred is half owner. Ryan maybe you should go to the FedEX drivers house I am sure he will be more than happy to share his pot with you.

Hi there- we’d like to invite you to a sports blogger party in a couple weeks to celebrate the Reds season opening. If you’re interested, please email us at pr@johnnyrockets.com so we can send you more information. Thanks!

The Reds completed the overhaul of their rotation by acquiring right-hander Sonny Gray in a trade with the Yankees on Monday. Gray also signed a three-year contract extension through 2022, with a club option for '23.

East Side Elementary School, which is located 90 minutes west of Cincinnati in rural Indiana, was selected by the Reds for a "caravan takeover" on Thursday. The 430 smiles of excitement on the kids' faces easily made the stopover worth it for the group.

Reds left-hander Amir Garrett spent Friday morning grinding at the club's Spring Training complex in Goodyear. But his biggest delivery of the day came during his lunch break, 30 miles east of the club's complex and nowhere near a mound.

This year's Reds Caravan had its sendoff on Thursday from the AC Hotel across from Great American Ball Park, featuring players like Eugenio Suarez, Tucker Barnhart. Scooter Gennett, Tanner Roark, Taylor Trammell and Tyler Stephenson, manager David Bell, president of baseball operations Dick Williams and broadcasters Marty Brennaman and Jeff Brantley.

As the offseason nears its end, some Reds players are getting closer to putting Hot Stove rumors behind them and looking forward to Spring Training. One of the last big mileposts of the offseason arrives this weekend with the annual Reds Caravan, and two Reds who found themselves prominently in those rumors are heading out to meet fans and talk 2019.

Minor League Baseball has announced the mentor-mentee pairs for the inaugural class of the LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) Mentorship Program, which looks to develop the next generation of women executives in baseball.

Twins prospect Alex Kirilloff won the staff vote for the 2018 MiLBY Breakout Prospect of the Year Award after leading the Minors in extra-base hits one year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Mets slugger Peter Alonso bashed 36 homers and was the fans' selection.

AROUND THE NL CENTRAL:

Six weeks after president of baseball operations John Mozeliak dodged a question about Paul Goldschmidt's future fit by stating that "what I'm thinking about today is 2019," the tone has clearly changed. The organization used this weekend's Winter Warm-Up event as the start of a sales pitch that could continue through the season.

Though recovery from an offseason knee procedure will limit Yadier Molina's time on the field this spring, the veteran catcher has opened his mind to potentially playing beyond the end of his contract, which covers the next two seasons.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame will announce the results of the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot on Tuesday, live on MLB Network, and the baseball world will find out who will join Veterans Committee selections Harold Baines and Lee Smith as the Class of 2019.

With the Cardinals expressing their confidence in Dexter Fowler posting a bounce-back season in right field, where, then, does Jose Martinez -- arguably the team's most consistent offensive player over the last two seasons -- fit?

The message continually preached by the Cubs' decision-makers throughout this winter has been that the team plans on harnessing a heightened sense of urgency from the first pitch of the season on. And it will be incumbent on the players already in the fold to right the wrongs of last fall's collapse.

Mark Loretta played baseball about a half-hour north of Wrigley Field when he suited up for Northwestern University. As he transitioned from collegiate star to professional ballplayer to big leaguer, Loretta held on to the hope of one day joining the Cubs.

There is no denying that Cubs fans are in the midst of an incredible period in the franchise's long history. The run of success has set a new standard of expectation, however, and last season's sudden conclusion, followed by a quiet winter filled with talk of budget limitations, has bred plenty of frustration.

In his annual panel, Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney announced that, yes, the team will indeed be launching its own network in time for Spring Training 2020 and the following season.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame will announce the results of the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot on Tuesday, live on MLB Network, and the baseball world will find out who will join Veterans Committee selections Harold Baines and Lee Smith as the Class of 2019.

The greatest players in Astros history will be immortalized at Minute Maid Park beginning later this year when the club opens a Hall of Fame with the goal to honor, preserve, communicate and educate fans about the rich history of the state's oldest baseball franchise.

The father of Astros outfielder George Springer grew up hearing firsthand accounts from his own dad about the impact of John Lewis in the civil rights movement, giving him a greater understanding of Lewis' legacy than many of his young peers.

Which starters will comprise the back end of the Astros' rotation next season? Could Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole receive extensions? Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart answers these and other questions from fans.

With Spring Training approaching, it's time for an in-depth look at the Pirates' roster. This is the fifth part of a series checking in on their current and future options at each position. Next up: second base.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame will announce the results of the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot on Tuesday, live on MLB Network, and the baseball world will find out who will join Veterans Committee selections Harold Baines and Lee Smith as the Class of 2019.